Four individuals have been arrested for allegedly plotting to bomb two U.S. companies in Southern California on New Year’s Eve, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. The arrests took place Friday in the Mojave Desert.
The defendants are identified as Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30, also known as “Asiginaak,” from South Los Angeles; Zachary Aaron Page, 32, also known as “AK,” from Torrance; Dante Gaffield, 24, also known as “Nomad,” from South Los Angeles; and Tina Lai, 41, also known as “Kickwhere,” from Glendale. All four are charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device. Their initial court appearances are scheduled for this afternoon at the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated: “Working together, federal and local law enforcement prevented a domestic terrorist attack from occurring this New Year’s Eve in Southern California. Far-left anti-government extremist groups seeking to destroy the American way of life will never prevail and will always face the full force of the law.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi added: “The Turtle Island Liberation Front – a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group – was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year’s Eve. The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles. This was an incredible effort by our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI to ensure Americans can live in peace. We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said: “These arrests mark the disruption of a dangerous conspiracy to spread fear and terror across Southern California and the United States on New Year’s Eve, as well as to conduct future attacks targeting federal officers. This country protects the right to hold extreme views about its past, present, and future, but violence is an unmistakable and enforceable line. The National Security Division is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who cross that line.”
Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office commented: “The defendants in this case allegedly planned to carry out terrorist attacks by targeting American businesses with explosives on New Year’s Eve, but the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and our partners moved quickly to thwart their plot in the planning phase. The extremist group asked its supporters to organize and be ready but didn’t count on law enforcement being organized and ready to intercept their deadly plans.”
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell noted: “This case underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist groups and individuals, and the critical importance of continued vigilance by law enforcement to safeguard our communities. The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of a unified response, made possible through the close collaboration and tireless efforts of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and our allied partner agencies.”
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus stated: “The successful prevention of this planned attack underscores the critical importance of sustained coordination between federal, state, local, and tribal law-enforcement partners. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department works closely with the FBI through the Joint Terrorism Task Force to identify, disrupt, and neutralize threats before they can cause harm to the public.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna said: “I commend the outstanding collaboration between our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners that prevented a potential act of violence and led to the quick arrest of individuals involved in this plot. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will continue to work closely with our partners to protect our residents, prevent acts intended to cause harm or fear, and safeguard the diversity that makes our county strong, especially during times when families come together to celebrate and reflect.”
According to court documents referenced in an affidavit filed with the complaint, Carroll is alleged to be a member of Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), which describes itself online as dedicated to liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty while encouraging resistance against capitalism.
“Turtle Island” refers—according some Native American traditions—to North America; TILF has reportedly used social media channels for promoting anti-capitalist messages along with calls for violence against U.S. officials.
Investigators say that in late November 2025 Carroll provided co-conspirators with an eight-page handwritten plan titled "Operation Midnight Sun." This document described simultaneous bombings using backpacks containing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at five or more locations tied back specifically targeting two U.S.-based companies at midnight on New Year's Eve within greater Los Angeles.
Details within this plan included instructions for making complex pipe bombs along with guidance aimed at avoiding detection or leaving evidence traceable back toward participants; Carroll reportedly acknowledged during discussions that such actions would be viewed legally as terrorism.
Carroll along with Page recruited additional co-conspirators including Gaffield and Lai into their scheme; actions taken reportedly included purchasing materials needed for constructing bombs followed by traveling together out into remote areas within Mojave Desert where test detonations were conducted December 12.
During preparations at this site it is alleged they unloaded supplies necessary for assembly onto tables beneath tents constructed specifically for shielding components from sunlight while cleaning pipes intended for use inside devices; Carroll additionally discussed grinding chemicals intended as precursors within explosive mixtures.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents intervened prior completion or activation any functional device resulting immediate arrest all suspects present.
All charges remain allegations unless proven beyond reasonable doubt before court proceedings; if convicted each defendant could receive up maximum five years imprisonment regarding conspiracy charge plus additional ten years concerning possession unregistered destructive device.
The investigation remains ongoing under leadership FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force receiving significant support from Los Angeles Police Department as well county sheriff offices covering both Los Angeles and San Bernardino plus Palm Springs Police Department—with further assistance drawn FBI field offices Boston Buffalo New Orleans.
Prosecution duties are assigned Assistant United States Attorneys Ian V. Yanniello and Amanda B. Elbogen (National Security Division), Daniel H. Weiner (Transnational Organized Crime Section), alongside Justice Department Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman (Counterterrorism Section).
